"He was bishop of Neocæsarea in Pontus; eminent for his great learning and virtues, but much more for his miracles, which he wrought in such numbers that he was called Thaumaturgus, which signifies, Worker of Miracles. In this respect, as St. Basil says, he might be compared with Moses and the apostles. When he built a church at Neocæsarea, he commanded a mountain which obstructed the work, to remove and yield place, which it did. He fixed his staff near the bank of a river, which sometimes overflowed and swept away inhabitants, houses, cattle and crops; and no such floods happened again. His staff also grew, and became a tree. A lake, which was a subject of contention between two brothers, was dried up at the prayers of the saint, and became solid land, whereby the cause of dispute was removed. He was a man of a prophetic and apostolic spirit; and in his devotions, he shewed the greatest reverence and recollection. He abhorred lies and falsehood, and particularly all detraction. No anger or bitterness ever appeared in his words or behavior. A little before his death, he inquired how many infidels yet remained in the city; and being told that there were seventeen, he sighed, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, expressed his grief that any continued strangers to the true religion, but thankfully acknowledged as a great mercy, that having found but seventeen Christians at his first coming thither, he left but seventeen idolators. He died in the year 270, or 271

Pray for all the pastors of the church; that by their vigilance and good example, they may bring forth a plentiful harvest. All who are engaged in error, or in a sinful state, stand in need of their help, and ought to be the subject of their labors and prayers, that none may perish through their neglect. In whatever degree you are, let your words and example be to edification. Endeavor to do good to all, and let the great charity of this saint teach you not to conceal any thing that may be beneficial to the public." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

"St. GREGORY was born in Pontus, of heathen parents. In Palestine, about the year 231, he studied philosophy under the great Origen, who led him from the pursuit of human wisdom to Christ, Who is the Wisdom of God. Not long after, he was made Bishop of Neo-Cæsarea in his own country. As he lay awake one night an old man entered his room, and pointed to a lady of superhuman beauty, and radiant with heavenly light. This old man was St. John the Evangelist, and the lady told him to give Gregory the instruction he desired. Thereupon he gave St. Gregory a creed which contained in all its fulness the doctrine of the Trinity. St. Gregory set it in writing, directed all his preaching by it, and handed it down to his successors. Strong in this faith, he subdued demons; he foretold the future. At his word a rock moved from its place, a river changed its course, a lake was dried up. He converted his diocese, and strengthened those under persecution. He struck down a rising heresy; and, when he was gone, this creed preserved his flock from the Arian pest. St. Gregory died in the year 270.

The Church does not apply indulgences to the souls in Purgatory as she does to the faithful upon earth through the tribunal of penance and absolution, but confers them simply through pious supplications and sacrifices offered in their behalf; thus they are relieved indirectly. Holy Church opens her rich treasures of merit and satisfaction in proportion to the suffrage of the faithful, who offer expiation and fervent prayers to God for the relief of the suffering souls.

God has reserved to Himself the right to accept entirely, or in part, the satisfaction offered for any soul in Purgatory. This acceptance depends upon His holy and adorable Will, and perhaps, in great measure upon the care of the soul to render herself worthy of the Divine Assistance during her earthly career. Besides, there may be some obligation neglected by the person who intends to gain the indulgence, owing to ignorance or forgetfulness on his part.

Therefore, we have no assurance whatever that an indulgence given by us to the souls has had the desired effect. Considering this, we should prepare most carefully, and fulfill all obligations required for gaining an indulgence. However, let us place with entire confidence in the tender hand of Divine Mercy the application of indulgences to departed souls who are especially dear to us.

Prayer: Have mercy, O Lord, upon the suffering souls in Purgatory; mitigate the severity of Thy judgments; let the infinite merits of Thine only begotten Son and those of Thy saints assist the holy souls and deliver them from their sufferings. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Priests in Purgatory: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy Scourging and Crowning with thorns, in the Way to Calvary, in Thy Crucifixion and Death, have mercy on the souls of priests in Purgatory, especially those most forgotten and who have no one else to pray for them. I wish to remember all those priests who ministered to me, the priests my heart has never forgotten, and for those that I no longer recall due to my frailty of memory. Do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise.

Pope Saint Pius X and Saint John Vianney, pray for us and especially for our priests. Amen

Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who neglected to gain indulgences for the souls in Purgatory.

Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (three times)

Practice: Offer all indulgences you may gain today for the souls in Purgatory.

Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!

Source: Manual of the Purgatorian Society, Redemptorist Fathers. 1907

" St. Gertrude, Spouse of Christ, Pray for us.

If you want to find me, look for me near the Altar or in the heart of Gertrude."

"The sweetness of Divine goodness urged her to a participation in the Holy Mysteries, by these words: "Consider in how small a space I give you My entire Divinity and My Humanity. Compare the size of this with the size of the human body, and judge then of the greatness of My love. For as the human body surpasses My Body in size—that is to say, the quantity of the species of bread under which My Body is contained-so My mercy and charity in this Sacrament reduce Me to this state, that the soul which loves Me is in some sort above Me, as the human body is greater than My Body."

On another day, as she received the saving Host, our Lord addressed her thus: "Consider that the priest who gives you the Host touches it directly with his hands, and that the vestments with which he is clothed, out of respect, do not reach beyond his arms; this is to teach you, that although I regard with pleasure all that is done for My glory, as prayers, fasts, vigils, and other like works of piety, still (those who have little understanding will not comprehend it), the confidence with which the elect have recourse to Me in their weakness touches Me far more sensibly; even as you see My Flesh is nearer to the hands of the priest than his vestments.” The Life and Revelations of Saint Gertrude

Prayer before Mass (Prayers of St. Gertrude):

O Almighty, everlasting God, seeing that it is the true faith of Thy Church that the holy Sacrifice of the Mass instituted by Thy Son is infinitely pleasing to Thy divine Majesty, and renders Thee an infinite worship and praise, and since by it alone Thou canst be worthily and adequately worshiped and praised; impelled by an ardent desire of Thy honor and glory, I purpose to assist at this present sacrifice with the utmost devotion of which I am capable, and to offer this most Holy Oblation to Thee in union with Thy priest.

I offer Thee not only this sacrifice, but all those which shall be this day offered from every part of the world; and I protest before Thee that if it depended on me whether they should be offered or omitted, I would put forth all my powers to procure and further their being offered. And were I able now to raise up to Thee, of the stone which are scattered over the earth, most devoted priests, who should day by day and with glowing fervor offer to Thee this sacrifice of praise, I would most gladly do it. But, being what I am, I implore Thee, O most holy Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, to pour into the hearts of all Thy priests, and especially those who might perchance otherwise offer Thee this acceptable sacrifice coldly and without due recollectedness, the spirit of grace and of fervor, that they may be enabled to celebrate Thy tremendous Mystery with becoming awe and devotion.

Grant to me, and to all those who are here present with me, that we may join in this most sacred action with reverence and devotion, so that we may have our portion in its fruit and effect. I confess to Thee, O almighty God, and to the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and to all the Saints, my own sins and those of all the world; and I lay them on Thy sacred Altar, that they may be entirely blotted out by the virtue of this sacrifice. Do thou deign to grant us this grace, by that love which held back Thy hand from smiting when Thy most beloved Son, Thy only Son, was immolated by the hands of ungodly men. amen"

Preces Gertrudianae; Prayers of St. Gertrude and St. Mechtilde.

"It is holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins." (2 Mach. XII, 46)

Prayer for the dead is holy because pleasing to God; wholesome, because through the merciful goodness of God it accomplishes its sublime and charitable object. Nothing is so pleasing to God as the sacrifice of love and mercy, especially when offered for the suffering souls, whom He loves most tenderly, because they are holy and sure of Heaven.

To relieve the suffering souls we can do nothing more salutary than to gain indulgences applicable to them, offering to God the perfect satisfaction of Christ and the saints, and performing good works in their behalf, that they may be comforted or delivered from the pains of Purgatory.

A suffering soul may receive an entire or a temporary remission of her penalty, according to the indulgence applied.

Prayer: Open, O Lord, the rich treasures of Thy holy Church, in favor of the souls in Purgatory that they may receive full pardon, or at least, some relief in their pains; and grant us grace to deliver and to comfort a great number of suffering souls by prayer and good works. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Priests in Purgatory: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy Scourging and Crowning with thorns, in the Way to Calvary, in Thy Crucifixion and Death, have mercy on the souls of priests in Purgatory, especially those most forgotten and who have no one else to pray for them. I wish to remember all those priests who ministered to me, the priests my heart has never forgotten, and for those that I no longer recall due to my frailty of memory. Do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise.

Pope Saint Pius X and Saint John Vianney, pray for us and especially for our priests. Amen

Special Intercession: Pray for the souls, who during their earthly career, endeavored to gain many indulgences for the faithful departed.

Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (three times)

Practice: Apply all the indulgences you can gain to the souls in Purgatory

Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!

Source: Manual of the Purgatorian Society, Redemptorist Fathers. 1907

" Dread the torments suffered by the souls in Purgatory, and have compassion on them. Succor them by your prayers and deliver them by your good works" St. Albert the Great.

Miniatures Lives of the Saints, for Every Day in the Year, Volume 1; Volumes 28-146 1883

Holy Church teaches us that the state of grace is necessary to perform good works acceptable to God and of merit to the souls in Purgatory. There are some good works, the value of which does not depend upon the spiritual condition of the one who offers them. A person who may be, unfortunately, in the state of mortal sin, can have Masses said for the faithful departed. He himself will acquire no merit, thereby, but the suffering souls will derive the full benefit of the Holy Sacrifice. In all other good works offered for them, the state of sanctifying grace is requisite.

"He that abideth in Me," says Christ, "and I in him, the same beareth much fruit, for, without Me you can do nothing." If, then, we are incapable of gaining merit for ourselves, how can we bestow any upon others? St. Francis Xavier says: "Before being intent upon delivering souls from Purgatory, take heed to redeem our own souls from Hell!" and here we may add the word of the Lord spoken by His prophet: "Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your device from my eyes: cease to do perversely." (Isaiah I. 16)

Prayer: Grant us the grace, O Lord, to avoid sin at all times, and confirm us in Thy charity, that, by Thy bounty, our supplications for the suffering souls may be acceptable to Thee and beneficial to them. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Prayer for Priests in Purgatory: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy Scourging and Crowning with thorns, in the Way to Calvary, in Thy Crucifixion and Death, have mercy on the souls of priests in Purgatory, especially those most forgotten and who have no one else to pray for them. I wish to remember all those priests who ministered to me, the priests my heart has never forgotten, and for those that I no longer recall due to my frailty of memory. Do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise.

Pope Saint Pius X and Saint John Vianney, pray for us and especially for our priests. Amen

Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who were careful never to lose the grace of God.

Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (three times)

Practice: Make an act of perfect contrition.

Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!

Source: Manual of the Purgatorian Society, Redemptorist Fathers. 1907

Martyrdom of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych by Józef Simmler  (1823–1868)

• The Relics of St Josaphat in the Vatican

"The life of St. Josaphat is a lesson for all time. The two truths which he was charged by our Divine Lord to proclaim, and which he was to seal with his blood: the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff and the unity of the Church, are denied in our own day by the same sectaries, and all who maintain them assailed by the same fiendish cruelty." The Dublin Review, Part 1 page 46. 1877

"Stir up, O Lord, we beseech thee, in thy Church the Spirit wherewith the blessed Josephat thy Martyr and Pontiff was filled."  Thus prays our Mother, today, and the Gospel likewise points to the desire of obtaining pastors like to thee, O holy Bishop! The sacred text speaks of the false shepherd, who flees at first sight of the wolf; but the Homily, which explains it in the Night Office, brands equally with the title of hireling the keeper who, though he does not flee, suffers the enemy un-resisted to work havoc in the fold. May the divine Shepherd, whom thou didst imitate unto the end, even unto laying down thy life for the sheep, live again in all those whom he calls, like Peter, to exercise a greater love." The Liturgical Year: Passiontide and holy week, 3d edition. 1901 Abbot Prosper Gueranger OSB

"ST. JOSAPHAT was born in Volhynia, a province of Poland, of noble and virtuous parents who brought him up in lively sentiments of piety. During his childhood he was much affected at the thought of the sufferings which Jesus Christ had endured for the love of men, and one day when his mother was discoursing about our Lord's Passion, a dart issuing from the side of Jesus, as represented in a neighboring crucifix, transfixed his heart.

From that moment he felt himself powerfully inflamed with the fire of Divine Love, and gave himself up with such fervor to prayer and works of charity as to excite the wonder and admiration of all who beheld him. When he had reached the age of twenty, Josaphat received the religious habit in a convent of Basilian monks, where he practiced the most severe austerities and made rapid progress in virtue. His great reputation for sanctity and learning caused him to be raised to the office of Superior, and afterwards to the higher dignity of Archimandrite or Abbot. Finally, in spite of his earnest opposition, he was elected and consecrated Archbishop of Poloczk.

Invested with this new dignity, Josaphat continued the same humble and penitential way of life which he had followed within the walls of his monastery. Perfectly detached from earthly things, he devoted the whole of the revenue of his See to works of charity and the service of the Church. At the same time he gave himself up with unremitting assiduity to the care of his flock, whom he earnestly strove to preserve from the inroads of schism and heresy. Never was there to be found a more devoted champion of the rights and privileges of the Holy See, which he strenuously defended against the heretics both by his sermons and writings. Almighty God blessed his efforts with great success, and he was the means of bringing back innumerable souls to the unity of the Faith. His success in this respect drew upon him the hatred of certain fiery zealots, who conspired to effect his death; nor was their design hidden from our Saint, who in a public sermon forewarned the people of his approaching departure. Meanwhile he hastened to complete the visitation of his flock, that death might find him faithfully employed in the service of his Master and with his accounts made ready.

Having completed their preparation, the conspirators took occasion of the Archbishop's visit to Vitepsk in the course of his ministration, to carry their plot into execution. Rushing tumultuously to the Archiepiscopal residence, they entered with drawn swords, striking and slaying whomsoever they met. Josaphat immediately went forth to meet them. "My children," said he, "why do you slay my friends? Behold if you have anything against me, here I am." At these words, they rushed upon him, loaded him with blows, pierced him with their daggers, and finally struck off his head with an axe. His blessed body was cast into the neighboring river, but being discovered by a miraculous light, was taken out and interred with great solemnity and veneration. St. Josaphat accomplished his glorious martyrdom on November 12, A.D. 1623, being then in the forty-third year of his age."  Short lives of the saints, for every day in the year, Volume 3 By Rev. Henry Gibson 1897

"Honor thy father, and forget not the groaning of thy mother. Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them, and make a return to them; as they have done for thee." (Eccl. VII. 29-30) Next to God, our parents are our greatest benefactors, entitled to most tender love and gratitude, which is the sacred duty of every child. This duty does not end with this life; it is extended even to eternity. Should our departed parents find no relief in their pains? Must they cry out in bitter anguish: "I have reared sons and daughters, but they have forgotten me?"

If we compassionate the misery of strangers, if we do not heartlessly send a beggar from our doors, oh, let us remember how near and dear father and mother are to us, and how greatly we are indebted to them. After their death, we owe them prayers, alms, good works, and Masses. They cry out to us for mercy. Would it not be the lowest degree of ingratitude were we to forget those who bestowed their best love and care upon us in life? The commandment of God, "Honor thy father and thy mother," is an obligation also towards our deceased parents.

Prayer: O God, Who hast commanded us to honor father and mother, look in loving kindness upon the souls of my father and mother, and forgive them their trespasses and grant unto my the joy of being re-united to them in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Priests in Purgatory: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy Scourging and Crowning with thorns, in the Way to Calvary, in Thy Crucifixion and Death, have mercy on the souls of priests in Purgatory, especially those most forgotten and who have no one else to pray for them. I wish to remember all those priests who ministered to me, the priests my heart has never forgotten, and for those that I no longer recall due to my frailty of memory. Do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise.

Pope Saint Pius X and Saint John Vianney, pray for us and especially for our priests. Amen

Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of parents who have been forgotten by their children.

Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (three times)

Practice: Mortify yourself by an act of obedience

Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!

Source: Manual of the Purgatorian Society, Redemptorist Fathers. 1907

Mother Cabrini and Pope leo XIII

"I will have no peace until I have wrested every last child from Protestant hands."

"We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries but on Jesus alone." Mother Cabrini

Prayer: Almighty and Eternal Father, Giver of all Gifts, show us Thy mercy, and grant, we beseech Thee, through the merits of Thy faithful Servant, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, that all who invoke her intercession may obtain what they desire according to the good pleasure of Thy Holy Will...(here name your request).

O Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, mindful of Thy bountiful goodness and love, deign, we implore Thee, through the tender devotion of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini for Thy Sacred Heart, to hear our prayers and grant our petitions.

O God, the Holy Ghost, Comforter of the afflicted, Fountain of Light and Truth, through the ardent zeal of Thy humble handmaid, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, grant us Thy all powerful aid in our necessities, sanctify our souls and fill our minds with Divine Light that we may see the Holy Will of God in all things.

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, beloved spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, intercede for us that the favor we now ask may be granted.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc. (Three times)

Imprimatur: Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, 1943

• Sanctuary of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

• These Splendid Sisters: Mother Cabrini An Apostle of the Italians by JAMES J. WALSH, 1926
  

" Frances Xavier Cabrini was born at St. Angelo on July 15, 1850. A few hours after her birth, a flock of white doves alighted in the courtyard, in which her father had spread the grain to dry. Fearing that the doves might damage the grain, he drove them away, but vainly so. They returned again and again-it was a happy omen!
When seven, she was confirmed, and at ten she received first holy Communion. As a child, she was so modest and amiable that she was named "the little Saint." She liked to play with dolls dressed as Nuns, whom she ruled as a little abbess, and making small paper boats, she would fill them with violets, and placing them on the water, she imagined she was sending Missionaries to pagan lands.

She received her early education from her Sister Rose, a licensed teacher. When thirteen, she entered the school of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart in Arluno, and at eighteen, having succeeded brilliantly in her studies, was granted a normal school certificate. Then she went home, losing her parents through death in the following years.

At that time Don Bassano Dede, parish priest of St. Angelo, needed aid in his pastoral work. Frances gladly helped him, teaching Christian doctrine to the children, visiting the sick and helping the poor. Later she taught school in a nearby town. All this time she felt strongly drawn to the Religious life and performed many acts of self-denial. Thus she slept on two boards in place of a mattress. Several times she applied for admission to different Religious Communities, but in vain.

Some time later when asked to supervise an orphanage in Cadogno, she at first refused, because she still hoped to become a Religious. Finally, she consented to try it for fifteen days. Those fifteen days became six years, and in 1880, she was still directing this work, surrounded by a group of young women, who also were desirous of dedicating themselves to the Missions.

That same year, the Bishop of Lodi commissioned her to found a Missionary Institute. Frances and her companions took over an ancient Franciscan Convent, and a few days later, Holy Mass was celebrated and Holy Communion was distributed to the new community. Then an Academy was opened, which was soon filled to capacity. Then Frances was elected Mother General of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The Community grew and new houses sprang up quickly, among them two in the Papal City, Rome. On March 12, 1888 the Holy See approved the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

One day, Bishop Scalabrini, the founder of the Missionaries of Emigration, told her of the difficulties and misery of Italian emigrants in America, and suggested that Frances establish her Community in New York. Blessed Cabrini did not immediately act on this suggestion. But when in an audience, Pope Leo XIII said to her, "Not to the East, but to the West. Go to the United States," Blessed Cabrini no longer hesitated.

She landed in America on March 31, 1889, and immediately set to work, a work that lasted until her death. For the Italian children she erected schools, kindergartens, orphanages, hospitals and free dispensaries. She became active in all kinds of social welfare work.

In 37 years she erected 67 houses in Europe and America. At her death, her Community numbered five hundred Sisters, there were five thousand children in her schools, orphanages, etc. Her hospitals took care of almost one hundred thousand sick.

Blessed Cabrini died in Chicago on December 22, 1917, at the age of 67. On November 13, 1938, she was declared "Blessed" by Pope Pius XI. Her relics are preserved in the Chapel of the Cabrini High School, Chicago."  Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints: edited by Rev. Fr.  John Gilmary Shea 1925